Discovering Your Role in Princeton's Lab-Based Studies: A Guide
For undergraduate students at Princeton University, the opportunity to engage in lab-based research doesn't have to wait until senior year. In fact, students can get involved as early as their freshman or sophomore years, thanks to various programs and faculty availability.
One such opportunity is the Princeton Neuroscience Institute Summer Internship Program (PNI SIP), which offers a rigorous, lab-based research experience to undergraduates over nine weeks in the summer. The program is open to students, including sophomores and juniors [2]. During the academic year, students often join labs as research assistants or participate in faculty-led projects, sometimes supported by university programs or departments. Programs like the Derian Summer Internship also enable students to work closely with faculty on research projects with community impact [5].
Motivated undergraduates can start research as early as their first or second year by reaching out to faculty or through formal programs. This early involvement prepares students for more advanced independent research in later years. However, it's important to note that no upper-year prerequisite is strictly required. Students should prepare by completing foundational coursework and expressing interest to faculty mentors.
As students approach the end of their sophomore year, it's a good idea to start thinking about junior independent work. This includes considering an adviser, understanding requirements, and meeting deadlines. Even if junior independent work is optional for a department, it may be beneficial for students considering research in graduate school or preparing for their senior thesis to consider doing it. This is especially beneficial if a student is doing research in a lab and wants to gain familiarity with the instruments in the lab.
Participating in hands-on laboratory experience, especially in a lab-based discipline, can help prepare students for graduate school. In fact, Bridget Denzer, Engineering Correspondent, participated in an HMEI research-based internship to prepare for graduate school in materials science research.
Moreover, the National Science Foundation offers Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in various disciplines at universities across the country. Princeton also offers opportunities for undergraduates to get involved in lab-based research early, even for first-year and sophomore students.
For A.B. majors, junior independent work is typically required, but this is not always the case for B.S.E majors such as CBE. It's essential for students to plan ahead for funding deadlines for senior thesis projects.
In conclusion, Princeton undergraduate students can become involved in lab-based research from their freshman or sophomore year, particularly through summer internships and research assistantships supported by academic departments and university programs. By doing so, students can feel better prepared for lab-based junior independent work and senior theses, as well as for graduate school. It's a good idea for students to let the professor know how many hours a week they have available to spend in the lab doing research.
- Undergraduate students at Princeton University can engage in lab-based research as early as their freshman or sophomore years, participating in programs like the Princeton Neuroscience Institute Summer Internship Program (PNI SIP).
- During their academic year, students can join labs as research assistants or collaborate on faculty-led projects, some of which are supported by university programs or departments.
- As students approach the end of their sophomore year, it's beneficial to start considering junior independent work, which may include choosing an adviser, understanding requirements, and meeting deadlines.
- Preparing for personal growth, education-and-self-development, and potential graduate school, students can further enhance their learning and research skills through Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and by expressing interest to faculty mentors.
